This past weekend was a busy one for the Apple Jack Base Ball Club of La Crescent. Playing by the base ball rules of 1860, they played a double-header in Afton, Minnesota in oppressive heat and humidity against the local Red Socks. On Sunday, they traveled to the grounds of the Highland Prairie Lutheran Church near Rushford, Minnesota to play a double-header with the Highland Prairie Hayseeds under a threat of rain.

While Sunday's night cap was the only victory for the Jacks, they played four enthusiastic games. On Saturday the Jacks were outscored in both games by the Red Socks. The first game was 19-6 and the second game score was 11-2. Highlights in those games included Benjamin "George" Deetz and Glenn "Hondo" sharing a fly out. The ball, hit by Afton, bounced off George and was then caught by Hondo. George also jumped over the outfield fence three times to chase fly balls.

In Sunday's first game the Hayseeds hit six balls over the short outfield fence. Fortunately for the Jacks, each ball over the fence only counted for two bases. The final score was 13-7. The night cap was the Jacks time to shine. Aided by several sterling plays at third base by rookie Willis "Mouse" Jones, the Jacks defeated their adversaries by a score of 9-6. As the players were getting in their cars to go home, the skies opened up and the rain came down. Perfect timing!

Jared "Bear" Alexander, Gary "Wease" Pericak, Joel "Hefty" Affeldt and Jason "Weasel" Pericak shared the weekend's pitching duties.

The number of times each of the Jacks got on base during the four games is as follows: Samuel "Roundabout" Deetz-12, Erik "Stretch" Deetz-10, "Hefty", "Hondo" and "Bear"- 9, "Weasel" -7, Steve "Whitey" Geronime, "Big Wease" and "George"-6, Kevin "Hurricane" Knerzer-4, Mike "Mickey" Jaquette, Bob "Two Bit" Spencer, Jim "Red" Johnson -3, rookie Chase "Fitz" Jones, Bill "Ho-hum" Ohm, "Mouse", Jon "Numbers" Jones-1. It should be noted that many of the players only played on Saturday or Sunday thus having fewer turns at bat.

On Sunday, July 14th, the Apple Jacks will play the Roosters of Olmsted County at Mayo Field in Rochester as a preliminary to the Northwoods League game between the Honkers and Loggers. The vintage game will start at 11:00 AM.

The Apple Jacks are always looking for additional players. If you would like to join the Apple Jacks on the field, kindly call Captain Joel "Hefty" Affeldt at 608-769-1782 or Captain Emeritus Bill "Ho-hum" Ohm at 507-895-6912 for more details. The Apple Jacks Base Ball Club (https://sites.google.com/site/lacrescentapplejacks)is a community outreach program of the La Crescent Area Historical Society and respectfully acknowledges its eminent corporate sponsor, Merchants Bank- La Crescent.